Matrimonial Canopies of the End Times

Isaiah 4:2-6 is a vision of the redeemed and renewed Israel. V. 5, in particular, is very evocative:

Then the Lord will create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over its places of assembly a cloud by day and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night. Indeed over all the glory there will be a canopy. It will serve as a pavilion, a shade by day from the heat, and a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain. (NRSV)

Mary brought up an excellent question: In Jewish wedding tradition the matrimonial couple are covered by a canopy. Is Isaiah using the same word? Alec Motyer's exhaustive commentary on Isaiah provides the answer:

There is also [in this passage] a consummation of the covenant: over all the glory will be a canopy. Canopy (huppa) always denotes the 'marriage chamber' (Ps 19:6; Joel 2:16). The glory here is either the Messiah (see v. 2) lovingly joined to his bride-people or the whole glorious Zion with its holy people (3) joined in the consummation of love with the Lord under the overshadowing tokens of his presence. (For the covenant of marriage cf. 49:17-18; 54:1-13; Jer 2:2-3; 31:31-34; Hos 2:14-20.)

We discussed whether 4:2-5, which is clearly anticipating an eschatological fulfillment, has a second, prior fulfillment in the new covenant and the Church. The return of YHWH to Zion was partially fulfilled in the inauguration of the kingdom of God by Jesus' ministry, but we know that kingdom waits for consummation at the second coming. (Just as Jesus healed many, but even more await restoration.)

Similarly, the wedding language here called to mind that used by Jesus, suggesting that we see now only a shadow of the future joy the church will experience with the bridegroom. A far more glorious future awaits.